Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer.

GeorgR. · 03-08-2011, 08:34 AM

This question is on my mind for a LONG time already, but i simply dont have a definite answer.

Most SEOs will tell you that an EKM (exact keyword match domain) is best, say www. keyword.com or if you want www. keywordx.com

But i want the definite answer to the question whether google values the keyword in the domain HIGHER as the keyword in an URL.

For example, if there is a page on a site
www. doesntcontainkeyword.com/but_keyword_here.html

You notice that if you do searches on Google for a KW, it puts the keywords in bold, and many times the keyword is not in the actual domain BUT pops up in search because it is part of the URL.

Do some SEOs have true and observed facts that "keyword in domain" ranks significantly higher than "keyword in URL"?

G.

Marksv · 03-08-2011, 08:45 AM

Hi George,

I don't know if you'll ever get a 100% official answer but...

From my experience, I have many sites which have EMD (keyword .com) that outrank other sites with sites with keyword in URL.

Many times my EMD sites outrank with less backlinks and with no PR.

To me this suggests that an EMD has an advantage over the Keyword in URL...

Just my experience...

AlexHoug · 03-08-2011, 08:47 AM

Exact Match Domains don't necessarily rank higher, but they do rank much easier if you optimizae them and build backlinks to them. Tests have shown that Google does weigh in more heavily for exact match domains, but if you don't have one that is totally fine. Matt Cutts even has said that you can have a brandable domain, and still rank well. So you could have a website and include the keywords in the page name, which in combination with proper search engine optimization will get you ranked.

gittar1122 · 03-08-2011, 09:08 AM

Exact Keyword match domains require little seo to get ranked as compare to page containing keyword in URL. Some of my sites (EKM) are on rankings with little backlinks, so I think Google give some value to EKM but it entirely depends on how you make your seo plan because for many competitive keywords you will not find exact keyword match domains in top 10 or top 20, so its all about how you get backlinks for your site.

Thanks

BryanSubmits · 03-08-2011, 10:17 AM

Exact match domains rank more easily after the Google brand update. You can look up the google brand update for more information as to why or there are some interesting threads here at warriorforum Why Google can't get rid of exact match domains

Tony Shipp · 03-08-2011, 10:38 AM

EMDs do get a head start out of the blocks, but they can be taken down. Lately I am seeing that I have to pump more links at an EMD to achieve page 1 rankings than in the past.

Jonathan Beaton · 03-08-2011, 11:40 AM

Anecdotal evidence can be useful.

Data is even better:
Are Exact Match Domains Too Powerful? Is Their Time Limited? | SEOmoz

03-08-2011, 08:34 AM	#1
GeorgR. Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 6,061 Blog Entries: 16 Thanks: 72 Thanked 915 Times in 602 Posts Social Networking	Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. This question is on my mind for a LONG time already, but i simply dont have a definite answer. Most SEOs will tell you that an EKM (exact keyword match domain) is best, say www. keyword.com or if you want www. keywordx.com But i want the definite answer to the question whether google values the keyword in the domain HIGHER as the keyword in an URL. For example, if there is a page on a site www. doesntcontainkeyword.com/but_keyword_here.html You notice that if you do searches on Google for a KW, it puts the keywords in bold, and many times the keyword is not in the actual domain BUT pops up in search because it is part of the URL. Do some SEOs have true and observed facts that "keyword in domain" ranks significantly higher than "keyword in URL"? G.
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03-08-2011, 08:45 AM	#2
Marksv www.LazyAffiliateCash.com War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 202 Thanks: 127 Thanked 48 Times in 27 Posts Social Networking	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. Hi George, I don't know if you'll ever get a 100% official answer but... From my experience, I have many sites which have EMD (keyword .com) that outrank other sites with sites with keyword in URL. Many times my EMD sites outrank with less backlinks and with no PR. To me this suggests that an EMD has an advantage over the Keyword in URL... Just my experience...
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03-08-2011, 08:47 AM	#3
AlexHoug SEO Consultant Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 26 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. Exact Match Domains don't necessarily rank higher, but they do rank much easier if you optimizae them and build backlinks to them. Tests have shown that Google does weigh in more heavily for exact match domains, but if you don't have one that is totally fine. Matt Cutts even has said that you can have a brandable domain, and still rank well. So you could have a website and include the keywords in the page name, which in combination with proper search engine optimization will get you ranked.
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03-08-2011, 09:08 AM	#4
gittar1122 Advanced Warrior Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Internet Posts: 555 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts Contact Info	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. Exact Keyword match domains require little seo to get ranked as compare to page containing keyword in URL. Some of my sites (EKM) are on rankings with little backlinks, so I think Google give some value to EKM but it entirely depends on how you make your seo plan because for many competitive keywords you will not find exact keyword match domains in top 10 or top 20, so its all about how you get backlinks for your site. Thanks
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03-08-2011, 10:17 AM	#5
BryanSubmits Warrior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. Exact match domains rank more easily after the Google brand update. You can look up the google brand update for more information as to why or there are some interesting threads here at warriorforum Why Google can't get rid of exact match domains
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03-08-2011, 10:38 AM	#6
Tony Shipp Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 90 Thanks: 19 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. EMDs do get a head start out of the blocks, but they can be taken down. Lately I am seeing that I have to pump more links at an EMD to achieve page 1 rankings than in the past.
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03-08-2011, 11:40 AM	#7
Jonathan Beaton Internet Marketing Guide War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 256 Thanks: 29 Thanked 56 Times in 32 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Keyword in domain or in URL? Really need competent answer. Anecdotal evidence can be useful. Data is even better: Are Exact Match Domains Too Powerful? Is Their Time Limited? \| SEOmoz
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